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“TAYO ay natutuwa dahil nakakuha tayo ng commitment mula sa DBM na madagdagan ang pondo ng Marawi Compensation Program para sa taong 2024, dahil kulang na kulang ang P1 bilyong nakalaan para sa libo-libong claims na nai-file ng mga biktima ng digmaan sa Marawi.”
This was the statement made by Deputy Minority Leader and Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman today, as he lauded the commitment made by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to find ways to increase the P1 billion allocation for the Marawi Compensation Fund for next year.
DBM communicated the commitment through Appropriations Committee Vice Chair Rep. Stella Quimbo during yesterday’s plenary debates on the general principles of the General Appropriations Bill for 2024.
“I appreciate our mutual belief and sentiment that P1 billion a year is not enough to compensate the claimants of the Marawi Compensation Program. Kaya lubos ang ating pasasalamat sa Appropriations Committee at sa DBM for committing to increase the Marawi Compensation Fund for 2024,” Hataman, former governor of the now-defunct ARMM, said.
The commitment to increase, Hataman noted, is predicated on the request that will be submitted by the Marawi Compensation Board (MCB) constituted under provisions of Republic Act No. 11696 or the “Marawi Siege Victims Compensation Act of 2022.”
During the plenary debates, the Basilan lawmaker mentioned that the MCB, during last week’s joint Senate and House hearing on the Marawi compensation and rehabilitation programs, already said that from July 4 to Aug. 31, it received a total of 4,762 filed claims, which translates to roughly P17.46 billion for claims filed in just two months.
“These over 4,000 claims have already been verified. Sana man lang makalahati natin ito sa 2024 kasi hindi lang iyan ang kabuuang bilang ng claimants. Mas madami pa, ayon sa MCB,” Hataman expressed.
When asked if Congress can increase the allocation for the Marawi compensation fund, Quimbo said, “But of course, moving forward, given that meron ganyang kadaming claimants, the remedy would be to … find a way.”
“We will assess based on the submission, yun po ang sinabi ng DBM … Kami po ay makaka-aksyon lamang kapag makapag-submit po sila (MCB) ng isang validated list,” Quimbo continued.
To which Hataman responded: “So, ibig sabihin ba niyan, Madam Speaker, distinguished sponsor, once masubmit yung validated (list), popondohan natin yung buong na-validate nila? Dahil nakadepende ang ating commitment kung kailan nila sinubmit?”
“Yes, as long as these are validated,” Quimbo replied.
The statement of commitment was enough for Hataman, as he expressed high hopes that the DBM and the House of Representatives appropriations panel would follow through.
“Matagal naman nang naghintay ang ating mga kababayang taga-Marawi na muling bumalik sa normal at ibangon ang kanilang gumuhong dignidad at mga tahanan. Hangga’t hindi sila nakakabalik sa kanilang mga tirahan at hindi naitatayo ang kanilang mga tahanan, patuloy ang bangungot para sa kanila,” Hataman lamented.
“Hangad nating magkaroon na ng closure ang mga biktima ng digmaan sa Marawi. Sana ay madagdagan na ang alokasyon para sa Marawi Compensation Program at maka-move on na sila sa kanilang mga buhay.”
